Delayed and Life-Threatening Hematuria Following Percutaneous Nephrostomy Placement.

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PN) is a common urological procedure with mild complications in most cases.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We present a case of massive and life-threatening hematuria, presenting 29 days following PN. This is an uncommon complication of PN due to a delayed rupture of a pseudoaneurysm (PA) arising from a segmental artery. Bleeding was successfully treated by percutaneous trans-arterial super-selective embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

Hematuria, due to PA formation, should always be kept in mind in case of late hematuria following PN, as it needs to be promptly treated. Super-selective arterial embolization with metallic coils is an effective procedure to stop bleeding, and it may be a valid substitute for surgical intervention.